About HOST visits

This is a must!

HOST UK gave me one of the best experiences in my life. My visit made me realise that British people are as kind as people in my country. My hosts, Mrs Jackie and Mr Doug, are helpful, open-minded, and very kind people. They were pleased to share everything with me which was great and such a rare opportunity to get. We visited many places and had many interesting talks. We shared our cultures and stories with each other. I also got the opportunity to breed beef cows at their farm which was super exciting.

They live not too far away from my university, so even before my visit, I had an opportunity to meet them by attending a traditional Scottish event. That was my first time to be introduced to Ceilidh Dance. Mrs Jackie has also invited me to visit her school and introduce my culture there someday.

HOST is a must programme all international students should consider when they have taken their first step in the UK. It will give you many new and unique opportunities. It will give you insights into how British people spend their day, interact with each other and many other positive things. HOST will give you unforgettable memories. Focusing on our study is a must, and applying for a visit at HOST is another must thing to do as well. All in all, it will not be enough just to tell you how wonderful and amazing HOST is. I recommend you to apply for a visit to experience the most amazing weekends in the UK.

Why have a HOST visit?

The British Council and Foreign Office founded HOST in 1987. Thousands of students have enjoyed this experience.

5 reasons to have a HOST visit

It is a unique opportunity to experience the real life of Britain

It is safe – all the hosts are approved and known personally by HOST

It is very good value for money, and may cost you only your train fare

You will learn things which the university cannot teach you

You will have some very special memories to take home with you

And 3 reasons NOT to apply for a HOST visit

Please do not use HOST as a cheap form of tourism. It is about meeting people, sharing their lives, and cultural exchange. Your hosts will almost certainly show you their area, but this is not the main purpose of the visit.

Please do not go on a HOST visit if you need to be constantly connected to your phone or tablet. Instead, make the most of this short opportunity to engage with British people, have good conversations, and make new friends.

Please do not apply to HOST unless you have an open mind. Prepare to be surprised – and enjoy it!

HOST links international students at UK universities with friendly approved hosts who offer an invitation to their home for a day, a weekend, or at Christmas.

Who are the hosts?

All our hosts freely welcome students to share their lives during a short visit. There are hosts offering invitations in every part of England, Wales, Scotland and N Ireland.

All our hosts are visited and approved by our volunteer regional organisers. We know your host and we know the home where you are going.

Our hosts are very varied - they are highly educated professionals and skilled manual workers; they are busy young families and active retired people; they live alone, and they are couples, and they are mixed generation families; they live in small towns and in the middle of the countryside, and by the sea, and in the suburbs of cities.

We do our best to match you with the right host for you. All our hosts are kind and generous with their hospitality, because they are interested in meeting international students and helping you to feel at home.

Who can apply for a HOST visit?

A registered student on a full-time course at a university or college in the UK. HOST cannot accept applications from outside the UK

Aged 18+

You will still be in the UK for at least 6 weeks after the date of your application

You can include your husband, wife, partner, children – if they are living in the UK for the duration of your study period. HOST cannot accept applications from visiting family members or friends

You can apply to go to the host with an international student friend – your friend must complete a separate application. Please make sure that you and your friend give us the same dates when you will both be available, and the same travel budget.

What does a HOST visit cost?

Application fee – the application fee helps to pay for HOST’s administrative costs (it is NOT a payment for the visit). Many universities pay all or part of this fee for their students. If you open the link below, you will find out how much your university requires you to pay towards the application fee.

Visit – there is no fee for the visit itself, thanks to the generosity of the hosts, who give their hospitality free of charge. You should take a little money with you so you can offer to pay, for example, your entrance fee, if you are out sight-seeing with your host

Travel – you are responsible for the cost of travel to your host. You can tell HOST your maximum budgetfor travel when you apply.

HOST's policy on refunds. If we are unable to find a suitable invitation for you on any of the dates you have given us, we will ask you for more dates. If you are unable to give us more dates, your application fee will be refunded.

But please note that in the following circumstances, no refund will be possible:

if you do not respond to our messages;

if you reduce your availability to fewer than 3 dates and we are unable to find an invitation for your remaining dates;

if you decline an invitation which is for a date you have given us, and which fits your criteria with regard to travel budget and pets etc;

if you cancel a visit after accepting an invitation;

in circumstances beyond our control - such as extreme weather interrupting transport services - although in this case we will always try to re-arrange your visit.

Apply

What students say about host

Ali Al-Agri from Yemen gives international students this advice from his experience:

HOST is your best window to Britain. If you want to learn more about british culture and people in a short period of time, HOST is your best option.

Esther Jawing from Malaysia visited a host family with a friend in May 2014. She wrote:

My Host family is indeed very amazing. They prepared all the british traditional foods during our stay there. We got to enjoy the countryside too and they really make us feel at home. We taught our host family's children our national and ethnic languages which was fun.

I was warned to be careful about possible racist treatment when I get to the UK, but with the very warm treatment I got from my host, and even strangers on the beach, I am convinced otherwise.

Le Phoung from Vietnam stayed with a host couple near London in February 2015:

Staying with a local host even just for 3 đays i felt like my English was getting better and I am so into the British accent:)

Elizabeth Quan from the USA enjoyed her visit in June 2014:

Host UK allowed me to really connect and get to know the English culture. My family showed me all the touristy places, but more importantly, their favorite areas that are not very well known. It is a great way to spend the weekend and make new friends!